In Rawlins, officials are asking if the answers to some of the city’s water problems are literally at their feet. Legend has it that you say you can strike water with a shovel in parts of the city. As Rawlins chases millions of dollars in federal grants and loans, some say digging wells might save money and time.

The issue came up during council direction to the city manager and city attorney at last Tuesday’s meeting. Councilwoman Linda Smith said that she and fellow councilmember Debari Martinez met recently with someone she referred to as a colleague who informed them about 15 well locations in the community. Smith acknowledged that the town only owns two of them, but one is in the cemetery.

Pictured above: File photo of Washington Park. Photo by Cali O’Hare/Bigfoot 99.

The cemetery well would not produce potable water, but it could be used for irrigation. City Engineer Austin Gilbert has been researching the potential of using new wells to supplement the exiting water supply.

Gilbert said the flow and water quality tests have not been bid out yet, so the costs are unknown.

Wyoming water law would also come into play. Gilbert said the city officials need to research the adjudicated water rights to determine how and where the water can be used.

Gilbert said the timeline to contract with a firm, conduct the testing on the cemetery well and receive the results will take several months. Other city parks, including Bolton, Tully and Washington might also be drilled for well water. Gilbert said water permits would have to be obtained from the state engineer’s office for wells in those green spaces. Councilwoman Smith said she has asked already for that paper chase to begin.

Parks and Recreation Director Jason Seehon said he supports drilling for water to irrigate the city’s green spaces.

This is not the first time that city officials have looked into the potential of drilling wells in city parks. What’s old is new again. Seehon said that he received information from a resident that the city secured state permits for wells at Bolton, Tully and Washington Parks in 1977. The project was never carried out, though.

Councilman Debari Martinez said he is excited about pursuing the option of using wells to supplement the city water supply because of the cost savings it represents. Martinez said the saving to the city could be passed onto residents in the form of lower usage fees.

Council recently raised the water fee to a base rate of $29 per month to demonstrate to state loan board officers that the city is willing to share part of the financial burden of rebuilding its water infrastructure system. Council members Martinez and Smith asked that the process continue.

In all, 15 permitted wells are located within city limits. Rawlins owns two of them: The well at the cemetery is permitted for 200 gallons per minute and the Rawlins Springs at 5 gpm. The well at the fairgrounds belongs to the county. The remainder are privately owned. The city engineer said the Nugget Wells outside of city limits produce around 600 gpm on a consistent basis.

Bigfoot 99 will continue to monitor any developments in this story.

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